Viking Travel, Westmont Illinois is concluding an historic pilgrimage to Rome and Istanbul on Monday 10/20, which has been developing since November, 2013. The pilgrimage departs for Rome that day and is now able to confirm a private audience with Pope Francis on 10/24. This is quite special in that the Holy Father rarely greets a tour group in the Apostolic Palace outside St. Peter’s Basilica. There are 36 travelers on the trip which will also meet with Patriarch Bartholomew of the Byzantine Orthodox Church (similar role as Pope Francis) in Constantinople – current day Istanbul, Turkey – on 10/27.The leaders of this tour include Father Thomas Loya, host of “Light of the East” on EWTN Radio originating in Chicago; Mr. Jack Figel, Executive Producer of Orientale Lumen TeleVision in Washington, D.C.; and Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, Professor – Orthodox Dialogue – Oxford University, England. Viking Travel is sending Agent, Marge Santo, as a special religious tour escort for the group.This historic event could be instrumental in the unification of the Roman and Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church and will undoubtadly be a once in a lifetime experience for all on the tour.Richard HaymakerDirector – Business DevelopmentFaith Based Travel DivisionViking Travel700 Pasquinelli Drive, Suite CWestmont, IL 60559P: Office Direct – 630-571-4585 X 114P: Viking Head Office – 630-321-1664C: 630-341-1415Web Site: www.vikingtvl.comE-mail: Direct - dick@reed-ramsey.comE-mail – Head Office – richard.haymaker@vikingtvl.com